Belgian Laekenois

Temperament:
The rarest of the four Belgian Sheepdog breeds, the Belgian Laekenois is a very smart and obedient dog. They are serious and watchful with strong protective and territorial instincts. Some are very shy or sensitive. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm, but not harsh, training from an experienced master. If you are harsh or overbearing they will become uncooperative. The Laekenois are instinctively protective so they should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Breeders should socialize puppies right from birth. Good for working and competition obedience. These dogs make excellent police and guard dogs. This type of work is currently their main occupation. They do however, make excellent pets. Ever-watchful, alert and loyal, they thrive on loving companionship. Belgian Sheepdogs are good with children if socialized well with them. The Belgian Laekenois needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel. It does best given ample time, attention, training and companionship. If this breed is ignored, it will find ways to entertain itself, often at the owner's expense. The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy and needs a job to do. Working lines can have particularly high drive. Belgian Sheepdogs tend to bond strongly with one or two people. Take care when introducing this dog with small non-canine pets. Generally this Sheepdog gets along well with children, but they can be rather dominant toward other dogs. They should not present any problems provided they are correctly socialized with cats and other pets. This Belgian Sheepdog may instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing, circling, and moving effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. Good for working and competitive obedience. This is a very demanding dog. It needs an experienced owner and can easily be difficult to control unless the owner knows how to handle him. There can be wide differences in temperament and aggressiveness. Talk to someone experienced with the breed before you buy your dog. Although these dogs are often impressive, don't base your purchase solely on achievement records and appearances. Animals displaying excessive aggression or fearfulness should be avoided.

Grooming:
The rough, wiry coat of the Laekenois needs to be trimmed about twice a year, depending upon the quality of the coat. Dead and excessive hair should be removed. Resist suggestions to have your dog close trimmed as this ruins the coat for several years. In addition to the occasional light trim, use a coarse-toothed comb for grooming. The fawn-colored coat is harsh, dry, and normally slightly tangled. It should be rough-looking but never curled. Bathe only if it is absolutely necessary, as bathing removes the waterproofing of the coat. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Exercise:
This is a working dog that is accustomed to an active outdoor life. As such it needs a lot of exercise, including a long daily walk. In addition, they will greatly benefit being off the leash as much as possible in a safe area.

Living Condition:
The Belgian Laekenois will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average size yard. This breed prefers cool climates, but adapts well to others. It can live outdoors but would much rather be with his people.

Origin:
The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of the four Belgian Sheepdogs. In most parts of the world, the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat, pronounced Lak-in-wah), the Groenendael (black, long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), Malinois (fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced Mal-in-wah), and the Tervuren (fawn-mahogany, shades of gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and overlay, pronounced Terv-yer-en) are all considered one breed. However in America, since 1959, the AKC has recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate breeds, but has not recognized the Laekenois at all. A less well-known, but growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed. The Laekenois variety of Sheepdog was developed as a watchman to guard the fields in Antwerp, where fine linens were bleached in the sun and rain. During the reign of Queen Marie Henriette, the breed was the favored sheep tender and considered "the dog to have." Today, however, it is the least popular of the four Belgian Sheepdogs. All the Belgian Sheepdogs developed from hardy working dogs, which ensures that the modern breeds are compatibly gifted on the field. The Laekenois is a very rare, highly intelligent and protective Belgian Sheepdog that has the potential of being used in herding, and also in protection/law enforcement, drug/bomb/gas detection, search and rescue, tracking, obedience, sledding, agility and therapy/assistance to disabled, ill, or elderly people. Though not for everyone, properly socialized and trained, this high energy dog makes an excellent best friend and/or family companion dog. Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion dogs while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs.